Measuring MA of Wheels, Screws, Wedges

An activity...

Introduction

All simple machines have a mechanical advantage that you can calculate. The equation puts (input distance) / (output distance). Depending on the machine, measuring the input and output distances can be a little different. This activity gives you a chance to look at three simple machines and learn how to find their mechanical advantage.

Activity

Three simple machines have been provided:

• Wheel/Axle
• Wedge
• Screw

Measure the input and output distances for the machines, and then calculate their mechanical advantage.

Document your work by showing:

• the input and output distances, measured to the nearest 0.1 cm;
  • Note: If you write 3 cm, you are telling me that if it was a little bigger you'd have rounded off to 4 cm. If you write 3.0 cm, you are telling me that if it was a little bigger you'd have written 3.1 cm.)
• the mechanical advantage, rounded to the nearest decimal place.
  • Note: If you write 2.66666666, you are telling me that if it was just a bit more, you'd have written 2.66666667. Can you really be that precise? If you write 2.6, you mean it could have been 2.5 or 2.7 if your measurements were off by one notch on the ruler.)